Greenwood State Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greenwood State Beach |
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Greenwood State Beach and islands
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 Greenwood State Beach
Location in California
Greenwood State Beach
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mendocino County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | Elk, California |
| Area | 47 acres (19 ha) |
| Established | 1978 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Greenwood State Beach, also known as Elk Beach, is a beautiful protected area in California, USA. It is located in a small village called Elk, in Mendocino County. You can find it about 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of Point Arena, right along Highway 1. This special park covers about 47 acres (19 hectares) and was officially opened in 1978.
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The Story of Greenwood State Beach
Greenwood State Beach has an interesting past. The area where the beach is located, the village of Elk, was once a busy lumber town. This means people worked there cutting down trees and processing wood.
Early Days as a Lumber Site
From 1884 to 1916, a company called L.E. White Lumber Company used this land. They were involved in the lumber business. After them, the Goodyear Redwood Lumber Company took over. They owned the land from 1916 to 1930. Today, the old office building from these lumber companies has been turned into a visitor center. It is a great place to learn more about the beach and its history.
Who Was Greenwood?
The beach is named after a person named Britton Bailey Greenwood. He was the son of a famous mountain man named Caleb Greenwood. This family name has been part of the area's history for a long time.
A Name Change for the Beach
In 1995, the beach's name was officially changed. It used to be called Greenwood Creek State Beach. Now, it is simply known as Greenwood State Beach.
The Future of the Park: Why it Faced Closure
At one point, Greenwood State Beach was considered for closure. This happened in 2012.
A Plan to Save Money
Greenwood State Beach was one of 70 California state parks that might have closed. This was part of a plan to help the state save money. It was a way to reduce the government's budget deficit. Luckily, the park remained open for everyone to enjoy.
